Scott Woodbury speaking to Wild Ones in the Whitmire Wildflower Garden (photo by Sherri DeRousse)
PROGRAM
St. Louis Chapter Vice President Marsha Gebhardt welcomed 5 guests and 25 members to our gathering. Scott Woodbury, our chapter founder, led us on a tour of the Whitmire Wildflower Garden.
The Garden at was a birthday gift from the late Blanton Whitmire to his wife Peg. With their generous support, the Whitmire Wildflower Garden opened in 1993 under Scott Woodbury’s horticulture supervision. In 2006, Peg and Blanton made another generous donation, this time to endow the Whitmire Family Curator of Native Plant Horticulture. Scott has held that position since then.
The Garden is a five-acre demonstration garden of Missouri native plant communities including prairie, savanna, glade, woodland and wetland. Over 800 Missouri native plant species are on display. Scott focused our tour in the home gardening area which features a native perennial garden, rock garden, prairie garden, water garden, woodland garden and rain garden.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Spring Wildflower Market at Shaw Nature Reserve – May 8 and 9
Marilyn Chryst reported that our chapter sold 1,624 plants plus 77 shrubs at the Spring Wildflower Market. We made a profit of $3,133 that will be used to provide grants to non-profit organizations for landscaping projects incorporating native plants in an educational setting.
Thanks to our volunteers, and especially organizer Marilyn Chryst, for another successful spring plant sale.
Adopt a Grant-Recipient Garden
Chapter Grant Liaison Kathy Bildner reported that over the last eight years we have given grants to 23 schools and community gardens. We would like to know how these gardens are doing. Kathy invites members to choose a garden, “wander over and have a look, and take a photo.” Then please report back to us.
St. Louis Native Plant Garden Tour – June 20
Our chapter is partnering with St. Louis Audubon’s Bring Conservation Home program to sponsor a self-guided tour featuring ten residential native plant gardens. All the yards are in central St. Louis County and are certified by the Bring Conservation Home program.
Marsha reported that 137 tickets have been sold to date, and we anticipate selling out all 200 available tickets.
Date: June 20, 2015 – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Registration Deadline: June 10, 2015
Cost: $20 per person.
Next Monthly Gathering
Saturday, July 11, 9:30 a.m.
Editor’s note: the additional Wednesday meeting time was canceled due to storm damage.
Yard tour at the home of Bill Hoss. This yard has received Platinum certification by Bring Conservation Home.
Please bring a lawn chair.
For directions see our online calendar.
Recorded by: Fran Glass, Secretary
